2026 Open Enrollment

2026 Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is your yearly chance to review coverage and choose your best-fit benefits. Explore this microsite to learn about all of the benefits and resources available to you.

Below, we’ve highlighted the exciting enhancements and changes we are making in 2026. You’ll also find important benefits reminders. Explore each tab to learn about your medical plan updates, additional benefits updates and reminders, and Earned Time Cashout. You’ll also find educational resources that will help you make your benefits decisions this Open Enrollment.

Ready to Enroll?

On the main page of The Hub: Online, select “PeopleSoft” at the bottom of the page, then click PeopleSoft HR > PeopleSoft HR Login.

If you are a Franciscan’s employee, you will enroll in PeopleSoft through The Fran.

2026 Plan Options

Our three current BCBSMA plans will continue under new names:

  • Value HMO: Blue Basic HMO
  • Premium HMO: Blue Plus HMO
  • Preferred PPO: Blue Premium PPO

These plans will continue to offer the same comprehensive coverage, with no increases to out-of-pocket costs including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Salary tiers will remain unchanged. To see your 2026 per-paycheck deductions, visit the Medical Page. In 2026, deductions will be spread out over 27 pay periods to align with the payroll calendar.

In response to your feedback, we are also pleased to introduce a fourth BCBSMA Medical Plan option— the Blue Essentials HDHP + HSA (High-Deductible Health Plan + Health Savings Account). This option offers a lower annual premium in exchange for a higher deductible. Good news—to help offset the higher deductible, Boston Children’s will contribute $500 for Employee Only coverage and $1,000 for all other coverage levels to your HSA.

This is an active medical enrollment, which means you must actively enroll in medical benefits during the annual Open Enrollment period, or you will not have coverage for 2026. And, like every other year, you also must actively enroll to participate in the Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, and the Retiree Medical Savings Account. It’s important to take action!

Need Help Choosing a Plan? Ask ALEX!

You can use our online tool, Ask ALEX, to help you evaluate your benefit elections. ALEX asks you a series of questions, and then makes personalized recommendations based on your needs.

Use the following links to access Ask ALEX:

The BCBSMA fitness and weight loss reimbursement is now a single $200 Wellbeing reimbursement. Eligible expenses have expanded, and now include wearable fitness devices, home exercise equipment, bicycles and helmets, gym memberships, fitness classes, and more.

You will see a slight increase to your dental premiums. Additionally, starting January 1, mouth guards will covered under both plans.

Experience savings and convenience when you fill your prescriptions at the Boston Children’s On-site Pharmacy. You’ll pay a reduced copay for pediatric, adult acute, maintenance, and specialty medications, with free home delivery available.

The new Maven program available to BCBSMA members offers a range of personalized support across fertility, family building, midlife issues, menopause, and other life stages. You and your spouse will also have access to a personalized care advocate.

A new GLP-1 Weight Management Program will be available through CVS with coaching and other resources (current plan participants will receive more information in November).

We are excited to introduce our new Pet Insurance provider, MetLife, to help you care for your furry family members

The IRS is increasing the limit for the Dependent Care FSA.

Tuition Reimbursement support direct bill

Tuition Reimbursement support direct bill and for-credit certifications are now available.

Focus on your mental wellbeing. We offer a confidential EAP through SupportLinc available 24/7/365 that includes 6 free counseling sessions, financial and legal support, work life coaching, digital resources, and more.

Boston Children’s offers a 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with a match upon eligibility, a fully funded pension plan, and financial courses and education through Fidelity

Comprehensive diabetes support is available to BCBSMA plan participants through Livongo

While we encourage you to use your Earned Time (ET) to disconnect and refresh, if you find you are still earning enough time to take a cashout to avoid losing hours, this option is available for you. You can elect a cash out up to half of your ET hours earned in 2026. The payout will happen on December 4, 2026.

The window to elect: Tuesday, October 21st (10:00am) to Friday, November 7th (11:59pm).   

If you would like to elect to cash out ET hours, follow these steps:

  1. Read the Job Aid for details and instructions.
  2. Use the Estimator Tool to help assist in estimating your ET hours for next year.
  3. Log into UKG to elect.

Resources

Organization

Description

Job Aid

Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Health National, LLC

This job aid provides a full overview of the program, instructions on how to elect cashout for 2026, and review your upcoming 2025 cashout.

Job Aid

Franciscan Children’s

This job aid provides a full overview of the program, instructions on how to elect cashout for 2026, and review your upcoming 2025 cashout.

Estimator Tool

All eligible organizations

A tool for planning accrual and time off in 2026 to then help estimate a potential cash out amount to elect for a 2026 payout.

If you would like more information about this process, please refer to the Earned Time Policy on “The Hub: Online” under the main page, Policies & Tools, PolicyStat, search “Earned Time Policy/Procedure”.

To better understand your benefits options and feel confident with your choices:

  • Explore this microsite!
  • Watch this webinar about 2026 benefits changes and plan overviews.
  • Access Ask ALEX, our personalized online decision-support tool to help you choose the best medical plan for your needs.
  • Attend an information session. Live benefits enrollment drop-in sessions will be available, as well as virtual recorded sessions. Click here to see the schedule.

If you are a Franciscan’s employee, you will enroll in PeopleSoft through The Fran. You can find more information on your benefits in your Benefits Guide (coming soon) on the Forms & Contacts page.